Call for Presentations 

Advancing Wildlife Viewing:  Possibilities, Pathways, and Practices

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Working Group welcomes presenters to our fifth Academy.  February 19 – 23, 2024, Sanderling Resort, Duck, North Carolina.  

Focal Areas

​​1 - Interpretation and Engagement
​2 - Human Dimensions
​3 - Diversity and Inclusion
​4 - Environmental Ethics
​5 - Marketing, Advertising, and Tourism
6 - Performs Other Duties As Assigned

Key Dates

June 16, 2023 - Deadline for submission of proposals

July 31, 2023 - Notification of acceptance

​October 27, 2023 - Deadline for conference registration
​1 - Interpretation and Engagement
The primary tools many of us use to communicate our messages regarding nature and wildlife viewing involve interpretation and engagement. Creativity and succinctness are critical to success, as our audience is bombarded with information daily. Presentations in this focus area might describe different interpretive tools and products and how they educate and engage wildlife-viewing audiences. Examples include: 
  • Onsite infrastructure, including trails, platforms, nature centers, displays, and wayside signs 
  • Passive interpretation products, such as panels, brochures, booklets, and maps 
  • Active interpretation programs that teach people how to view wildlife, such as  guided walks, tours, demonstrations
  • Games, children’s programs, lectures, and demonstrations 
  • Community science and stewardship programs focused on wildlife viewing and nature tourism (e.g., using eBird or iNaturalist, local “background wildlife refuge” programs, Monarch Watch Waystations, BioBlitz events, etc.)
  • Digital interpretation, including websites, wildlife cams, films, apps, augmented reality, geolocation, contests, games, and audio tours 

2 - Human Dimensions
Wildlife education, wildlife viewing and nature tourism outreach are all forms of people management. We are working with humans with biases, wants, needs, limitations, and distractions. Understanding our audience is a critical part of program success. Presentations in this area might focus on the following: 
  • Research and insight into audiences and their motivations 
  • Survey methods and design, metrics, and focus groups 
  • The economics of wildlife viewing and nature tourism 
  • Evaluating program success  

3 - Diversity and Inclusion
Although this topic is part of the human dimensions of wildlife viewing and nature tourism, it deserves its own focus area to emphasize its importance in all areas of our work. Increasing the accessibility of wildlife viewing and nature tourism beyond currently engaged audiences is of particular interest. Presentations might focus on: 
  • Engaging new audiences and expanding relevancy 
  • Adaptations to address changing social, cultural, and economic conditions 
  • Necessary changes to improve both physical and cultural accessibility 
  • Enhancing inclusion and equity in messaging and interpretation 
  • Modifying programs in response to stakeholder restrictions, including health and safety (e.g., COVID-19) 

4 - Environmental Ethics
Our actions and services will have both positive and negative impacts on the land and wildlife. The balancing act of these trade-offs influences program design and outcomes. Presentations in this area of focus might include: 
  • Responsible recreation campaigns 
  • Discussions on conservation versus preservation, education versus enforcement 
  • Research on recreation impacts on wildlife and their habitats 
  • Tools and tips for mitigating impacts 
  • Community science and how we engage the public in our goals and objectives 

5 - Marketing, Advertising, and Tourism
The best programs and products go nowhere if your audience doesn’t know about them. Promotion is a critical part of getting your message out and increasing engagement. Presentations in this area of focus might include: 
  • Marketing campaigns - maximizing outreach via social media, email marketing, and traditional media 
  • Product advertising - styles, mediums, products 
  • Using creative spaces and unconventional techniques 
  • Cost-benefit analyses 
  • Branding 
  • The role and value of gift shops, souvenirs, and SWAG 

6 - Performs Other Duties As Assigned
Though we are hired as interpreters, managers, biologists, docents, or rangers, our jobs often include various tasks we might not have been trained to perform. Presentations in this focus area might include tips and techniques for accomplishing those ‘other’ duties you have. 
  • Public speaking and managing other speakers  
  • Establishing new funding streams 
  • Recruiting and training volunteers 
  • Project management skills 
  • Graphic design techniques and rules 
  • Procurement processes and tendering 
  • Grant or funding application preparation 
  • Partnership development and nurturing 
  • Consultation and public surveys 
  • Media Relations 

Important Information

  • The deadline for submission of proposals is June 16, 2023. 
  • Full conference registration by October 27, 2023, is required for all selected presenters (single-day registration is available on a case-by-case basis). 
  • Presentations, including a commercial product or service, must demonstrate the “takeaway” practical value to wildlife viewing and nature tourism programs. 
  • You may submit multiple presentations for consideration; however, each presentation must be submitted as a stand-alone entry.  

Presentation Details

  1. A computer, LCD projector, and screen will be provided for presentations. Additional audio-visual equipment is the responsibility of the individual presenter. 
  2. Time options for sessions include 30- and 60-minute formats. Please Note: Similar 30-minute topics may be combined into a 60-minute or 90-minute panel presentation by the Academy planning committee. 
  3. New ideas, program updates and shorter presentations can be part of the Academy’s PechaKucha presentations. Presentations are 6 - 7 minutes with time for an introduction and Q&A.  Each presentation block will be confined to 15 minutes.  Note that similar proposed PachaKucha presentations may be combined into a longer 60 or 90-minute panel format.  (PechaKucha was created in Japan in 2003. The word “PechaKucha'' is Japanese for “chit chat.”).  
  4. Individual presentations will be scheduled for the morning or afternoon of February 20, 21, or 22, 2024.  If selected to present, please be prepared to present on any one of these dates. 
  5. Formal notification of presentation acceptance will be emailed by July 31, 2023. 
  6. All presenters must submit, by August 25, 2023, a short biographical sketch and appropriate high-resolution photo to be used on the Academy website and printed material. 
  7. All presenters must complete and pay for their full conference registration by October 27, 2023 to ensure accurate production of the conference program.  

Application Instructions

​Applications are due by June 16, 2023.

Complete all fields in the Call for Presenters Application form.  NOTE:  You will not receive a copy of your submission, so it is suggested you complete the following offline and copy and paste into the Survey Monkey application form.
  1. Name, title, organization and contact information of the Primary Presenter 
  2. Name, title, organization and contact information of all Secondary Presenters (if applicable) 
  3. Presentation Title 
  4. Presentation Learning Objectives: By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to… (know, see, or do) 
  5. Identification of one or more appropriate focal areas: 
    1. Interpretation and Engagement 
    2. Human Dimensions 
    3. Diversity and Inclusion 
    4. Environmental Ethics 
    5. Marketing, Advertising, and Tourism 
    6. Performs Other Duties as Assigned 
  6. Presentation Summary: Provide a 500-word or less summary of your presentation. Please include the "takeaway” value for the audience 
  7. Presentation Length (including Q&A): 30 or 60 minutes 
  8. Presentation Style (hands on, PowerPoint presentation, etc.) 
  9. Presentation Audience 
  10. Support Documents (optional): Upload any support documents   

Questions

Academy Program Questions?                 
  • Tammy Rundle, North Carolina Host, tammy.rundle@ncwildlife.org, 919-614-5126
  • Shelly Plante, Texas, shelly.plante@tpwd.texas.gov, 512-389-4500
  • Anne Glick, Florida, anne.glick@myfwc.com, 850-922-0664

Application Form Questions?  
  • Anne Glick, FWC, anne.glick@myfwc.com, 850-922-0664

partners

2024 meeting location: Duck, North Carolina

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